In a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) puts forth questions with regard to professor Nirmala Devi’s proximity to Governor Banwarilal Purohit. In an audio conversation that went viral on Sunday, a professor of the Madurai Kamaraj University allegedly attempts to lure students into providing sexual favours to ‘certain higher authorities’.
While several parties in the state have condemned the Governor’s decision to order a probe into the matter when his name was used in the conversation, the TNCC refers specifically to Nirmala Devi’s alleged statement about the Governor.
In the audio conversation, Nirmala Devi can be allegedly heard saying in Tamil “Governor thatha illa.” Many have taken this to mean that the ‘higher authority’ involved is not Governor thatha while the TNCC along with some others interpret it as “the Governor is not a grandfather.”
Demanding to know how Nirmala Devi may have been “able to assess” the Governor’s physical condition, TNCC goes on to urge the investigation body to probe this angle as well.
Citing the dictum Nemo judex in causa sua wherein an individual shan’t be a judge in their own cause, the letter demands that Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Vice Chancellor PP Chellathurai, the principal and the management of Devanga College of Art not interfere in the issue.
Governor Banwarilal Purohit had in his press conference held on Tuesday denied knowing Nirmala Devi. He had then said, " I attend so many convocations. Almost most of the members are on the dias. They move here and there. What can I do? I have not seen her face till date. What you are talking?" he said. The Governor also added, "I am surrounded by my entire team. Even a bird can't come near me without my permission. Can't level such vague charges against me."
The letter also cites the incident of a woman in Cuddalore district, who alleged that the Governor who was on tour barged into her bathroom when she was bathing. The Raj Bhavan, however, had called the reports “malicious and incorrect”.
Further, the TNCC also enclosed alleged photographs of Nirmala Devi with Tamil Nadu BJP President Dr Tamilisai Sounarajan, National Secretary H Raja and Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, stating, “As Nirmala Devi is very much close to the politicians of Bharathiya Janatha Party and the present Governor is also hailing from the same Bharathiya Janatha Party, is again alerting and raising various suspicious things.”
Demanding a High Court monitored probe by CBI, the letter calls for police protection for the life of Nirmala Devi as well as the students.
Meanwhile, the CPI also put forth similar concerns, saying that the Governor was a suspect in the attempted trafficking of college girls. CPI State Secretary told The Hindu that a probe ordered by the Governor is unacceptable.
Speaking to media persons, R Santhanam, who heads the probe appointed by the Governor said, "We have a discussion with the Vice Chancellor and other officials. In the evening I will go to Arupukottai. After that on Saturday, I will return to Madurai and continue investigating. I will return next week for 3- 4 days. "
When asked about the parallel investigations of the CB-CID and his own, he said, "There is no chance of a clash. The police will probe the criminal angle. My probe will be on what happened and who is behind this, whether University is involved in this or any University officials are involved, if yes then to what extent. If needed, I will definitely ask for help of police.